Recent events on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border show that the situation in the region has not calmed down and there is a need for the efforts of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

This opinion was expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Russian Foreign Ministry on November 18.

Putin recalled that the "Nagorno-Karabakh conflict" was stopped a year ago with the mediation of Russia.

"However, the skirmishes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border show that the situation in the region has not yet completely calmed down. There is an urgent need for the efforts of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to ensure stability, the ceasefire and the security of civilians," Putin said.

According to the Russian President, "there is no doubt that the role of Russian diplomacy is growing in continuing efforts to resolve disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, restoring economic ties in the South Caucasus and opening vital transport corridors."

Vladimir Putin highlighted that a relevant interstate commission at the level of Deputy Prime Ministers has been established to restore economic ties in the South Caucasus and open vital transport corridors.

"This commission is working. In my opinion, the prospects of this commission are not bad. All countries in the region, including Russia, are interested in a long-term solution to these problems," he said.

Earlier, on 16 November, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said that two servicemen were wounded because of a ceasefire violation on the state border.

Armenia said it has not allowed the Azerbaijani army to advance. However, it lost two military posts and 12 Armenian soldiers have been captured by Azerbaijani Armed Forces. In accordance with the 1997 bilateral agreement, Yerevan appealed to Moscow to protect the country's sovereignty.

On 15 November, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of "entering from the eastern border." Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called a meeting of the Security Council to make the above announcement. Azerbaijan did not refute the statement, and in response, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Leyla Abdullayeva said that "appropriate measures have been taken in response to provocations by Armenia."